Anthony had known they’d leave early because Athena was increasing. It was early days and she didn’t show yet, but she tired more easily than usual. Will was inclined to hover over her, and Anthony wasn’t much better. Athena, the Warrior Queen of San Gabriel, laughed at their solicitude, though she rather enjoyed the pampering.
It had been a relief when she signaled across the supper room that she was ready to leave. Anthony excused himself from his supper companions, forcing himself not to stare at Diana. After thanking his hostess, he left, hoping he didn’t look as if he were fleeing the scene of the crime.
When he climbed into the Masterson carriage, he took the backward-facing seat opposite Athena and Will. It was a relief to sink into the darkness and let go of his control before it snapped.
After they’d settled in and the carriage started toward home, his sister said cheerfully, “That was thoroughly enjoyable. I’ve decided that I like masquerades and dressing up as someone else.”
Her husband said with amusement, “But you were wearing the same Spanish clothing you wore when fighting the French. You were going as yourself tonight, not as someone else.”
“But my pistol wasn’t loaded,” she explained. “So it was a costume, not reality.”
Laughing, Will put an arm around her shoulders. “One masquerade a year sounds about right. Any more and I’d rapidly run out of ideas for costumes, and I don’t fancy myself in a toga.”
“I think you would beveryfanciable!” Athena said provocatively.
“Togas would be cold at this season,” Anthony murmured.
“Very true,” Athena said. “Please excuse our silliness, Anthony. Given that Julia and I almost forced you to come to the ball, I hope you enjoyed yourself. I didn’t know you were such a good dancer. I think you danced every dance, and your corsair cape swirled magnificently.”
“I enjoy dancing almost too much for a duke. If I hadn’t been heir to Castleton, I think I would have made a tolerably good dancing master.”
Athena chuckled. “Another role in which you’d have had to endure females hurling themselves at you.”
“Perhaps, but as least they wouldn’t have wanted marriage,” he said dryly.
Will and Athena laughed. Hoping he wouldn’t have to talk any more, Anthony rubbed his temple, trying to forestall a headache. He’d had them regularly until his father died and almost never since.
Will said, “I saw that you went into supper with Lady Diana Lawrence, the second Hindu dancer. Is she as charming as she is talented?”
Anthony tried for a light answer, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t even speak. He buried his face in his hands and began to shake.
Athena leaned forward and asked with concern, “Anthony, are you ill?”
He choked out, “Nothing physical.”
His sister rested a hand on his knee. “What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.
He might have managed to regain his control if the carriage weren’t dark. If he hadn’t had so much champagne. If it weren’t his sister who asked. But he had to talk to someone, and who better than his sister and her husband? “Remember I told you and Julia I’d once become infatuated and proposed marriage and the lady turned me down?”
“Yes,” she said with soft encouragement.
“I saw her tonight for the first time in years.”
“Lady Diana Lawrence?” Will asked quietly.
Will’s wits were much quicker than his appearance suggested. Anthony lowered his hands. “Yes. If the ball wasn’t a masquerade, I would have recognized her sooner and been able to escape. As it was, I danced with her, not knowing who she was. When we unmasked, it was . . . .a considerable shock. Rather like being kicked in the gut by an angry horse. For both of us, I think.”
“She was equally shocked?” Athena asked.
“I believe so. She’s only just back in England. In the nature of things, we were bound to run into each other eventually, but she probably didn’t expect it so soon, or in such circumstances.”
“I think surprises are greatly overrated,” Will said. “Did you part in anger all those years ago?”
“More in sorrow than in anger,” Anthony said slowly. “We fell in love so quickly and it ended so quickly when I asked her to marry me. She was horrified and bolted, leaving England almost immediately. I heard that she’d become a dashing lady traveler and ended up in India. I thought she’d never return. Which made seeing her tonight all the more shocking.”
“Did she explain why she turned you down? Did she think it was a mere flirtation and she was shocked when you proposed?”
“I think her feelings were much like mine. She is not the sort to play games. But I don’t think she expected a proposal. She explained why marriage was impossible, and then she was gone.”
